They are young, talented and, if no opportunity exists, seem poised to create one nonetheless. Baseball's greater reliance upon young players in recent years has fastened the track its brightest prospects travel to the big leagues. This year is no different, as a bevy of intriguing talents try to crack the majors this spring training. USA TODAY looks at five of them:

A person familiar with the negotiations says ace Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners are closing in on a five-year contract that would avoid arbitration and prevent him from becoming a free agent after the 2011 season.